SCO Responds to 2025 Manitoba Budget

March 20, 2025

“We are at a critical time in Manitoba’s economic history and First Nations are poised to play a pivotal role.” – Grand Chief Daniels

ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — Today, the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is responding to the latest provincial budget, tabled March 20, 2025. The “Building One Manitoba” budget includes a record $3.7 billion in spending for capital projects, including investments in critical infrastructure that will directly impact several of our Nations and the work of SCO.

“While I understand and even empathize with the provincial government given the current economic strains the Trump administration’s tariff threats are putting on their fiscal bottom line, that in no way excuses them from meeting their obligations to the first peoples of this land,” stated SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “Together we can emerge from this existential threat to the economy of Manitoba. By engaging in respectful and productive dialogue, we can ensure that First Nations are not left behind at this critical time.”

The creation of affordable housing continues to be a priority for SCO, and we are heartened to see a budget line that will see the building of over 600 affordable housing units along with a $7 million commitment to end chronic homelessness.

SCO also welcomes a $4 million for the creation of the Health Care Centre of Excellence as part of the redevelopment of Portage Place in downtown Winnipeg.

“Along with our transformative Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn project in the former Hudson’s Bay building, this investment will further our promise to revitalize downtown Winnipeg,” said Grand Chief Daniels. “First Nations are at the forefront of so many critical projects in Manitoba’s capital city, and I am pleased to see our provincial partners recognizing that indisputable fact.”

Finance Minister Adrien Sala also revealed that work will now commence on the Lake St. Martin and Lake Manitoba outlet channels. These projects are long overdue and critical to protecting our impacted Nations from repeated and devastating floods.

“I applaud the province for committing to protecting our Interlake Nations from future catastrophic flooding,” added Grand Chief Daniels. “However, I cannot overstate how vital it is to include them in the final consultations and plans for these channels and to listen to them when it comes to the potential impacts these projects could have on fish habitat and water quality. To do anything less can only be seen as a betrayal of trust.”

SCO is pleased to see in this budget a commitment to increasing reconciliation within the education system. We are heartened to learn of investments in land-based curriculums and Treaty education, along with bringing in language revitalization and a $2.2 million annual investment to create an Elders and Knowledge Keepers Program for schools.

As SCO Nations continue to face ongoing safety issues, the investment of $11.9 million for the Manitoba First Nations Police Service Program and the First Nations Safety Officer Program is essential.

SCO also calls on the Kinew government to follow up on important areas of meaningful reconciliation, including investment in First Nation-led economic projects, along with loan guarantee programs and resource-sharing for wind power and resource development.

We will continue to ensure important issues such as Treaty entitlements, consultations on a critical mineral strategy, health, housing, and other fiduciary responsibilities are met by our provincial Treaty partner.

“We are in a unique and potentially remarkable time in our history when it comes to our relationship with the province,” concluded Grand Chief Daniels. “Having an Anishinaabe Premier who is also the Minister responsible for Indigenous Reconciliation gives us a direct voice at the table. I am confident that this will result in positive outcomes for our Nations and peoples.”

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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 32 First Nations and more than 87,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.

For media inquiries:

Email: media@scoinc.mb.ca

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